Handling chop on Powell and finding a good ski boat are two opposites.

The bigger, and more of a "V" shape to the boat, the better it will be on the rougher water. And these boats are typically larger inside as well. However, their skiing performance is suffered. If you are going to be upset with the ski wake each time you take a larger boat out, you need to decide what is the priority (and I'm guessing the larger boat for family/Powell will win). However, there are some larger boats that ski decent....I'm just not familiar with the differences in the X2/X30/X???

I love skiing behind my 205 but it does not do well on the open water.....but I don't mind, and I work with it. If at all possible, once you start narrowing down the specific model of boat, you do need to ski behind it to be sure you are satisfied.

You are more than welcome to ski behind my boat to get an idea of an excellent ski wake (if you live in the Denver/COS area). But mine is the 205....not the 205V. Still a smaller boat and I don't think the 205 DD is on your "short list".

I also have 3 girls and it's a great move! Even though water is difficult here in Colorado, it's worth the family time and I highly recommend it!

PS205v - not a great hull for choppy water and maybe a little small
X30 - great size and surfing capabilities, but not a skier
X10 - maybe the best bet in my price range because of the deeper hull (based on the Maristar) is okay on chop and a decent skier.

The post about the Maristar made me laugh because that boat is identical to my in-laws boat (also the reason I've been trying to buy our own boat). I know that's a good boat, but I cannot pull into my driveway with the same boat as my wife's parents (and pay about the same as they did 6 years ago for it).

What Maristar is it and what's your opinion on the overall size and ski wake?

I believe it's a 1998 Maristar. 20' or 21' - whichever it is. The ski wake is much better than my parents' boat - 1994 Bayliner.

We have put some sacks in it for surfing and are figuring out the setup for that, and thats the only boat I've surfed behind.

I was spoiled as a kid - one of the primary boats I grew up skiing behind was an early-90s PS190 with weight removed for less of a wake.

That's why I was trying to lean towards something like the PS205v. I've read good things about the hull for skiing and, when configured correctly, surfing. I was afraid of the ride in choppy water, but I want to be able to use the boat during the day, not just first thing in the morning and the evening.

PS205v - not a great hull for choppy water and maybe a little small
X30 - great size and surfing capabilities, but not a skier
X10 - maybe the best bet in my price range because of the deeper hull (based on the Maristar) is okay on chop and a decent skier.

The post about the Maristar made me laugh because that boat is identical to my in-laws boat (also the reason I've been trying to buy our own boat). I know that's a good boat, but I cannot pull into my driveway with the same boat as my wife's parents (and pay about the same as they did 6 years ago for it).

Am I interpreting all of this correctly so far?

I think you have it right. You would have to increase your budget by over $10K to have more options IMO. Which would get you close to a pickle fork X2. X15 and new style X10 and X30 probably fit all of your wants, but are close to or over double your budget.

You don't need to say any more about the family dynamics...been there and get it.